Cruising Alaska is like no other trip you’ll ever take. Even if you’ve taken dozens of cruises to the Caribbean or elsewhere, what to know — and what to expect — is vastly different for a trip to this part of the United States.
And after sailing Alaska, there are definitely things that I wish I knew before I went. To help you prepare, I’ve rounded up the biggest things you’ll be happy you knew before you sail to one of the most remote and scenic places on the planet.
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33 Comments
The best cruises to Alaska are those on the smallest ships.
Thank you. : )
My Norwegian cruise on the JOY to Alaska from Seattle Washington back in early July 2019 was fantastic. The food on that ship was top notch and the weather was pretty good. What I didn't like was the Whale watching/ Glacier excursion that took almost an hour to get to and have to get on board a site seeing boat and waste 4 hours of our valuable time and no whales to be had. ( Big snore fest ). Because the whale watching took so long, we were able to enjoy the Glacier point safari except to kill an hour in the museum across from Glacier. I'll have to agree with deeper pockets you'll enjoy the more robust excursions. Wish I knew!
Alaska is being loved to death!
How on earth can you compare Alaska to the Caribbean??? That's like comparing watermelon to kiwi!!! Port hours vary, no sailing party, weather differs; what other ridiculous complaints do you have? When you book a cruise, don't you find out what to expect? Alaska is a most pleasurable trip to experience. We have cruised twice and traveled by motorhome, and LOVED every moment! Anyway, when traveling, you enjoy the trip because it takes you away from your normal routine. ENJOY your cruise to Alaska.
Alaska is a don’t miss! I didn’t cruise – conference in Anchorage. Fight seeing of Denali was incredible. Did a nature cruise from Seward (southeast of Anchorage’s). Do what you can n see what you can. You’ll not be disappointed!
The sun goes down between 12-2am and up around 6am. If you go to a bbq during the summer time. Do t let the sun fool you! Keep track of the time. We’re called “The Land of the Midnight Sun”
61 years, and born in Alaska, you couldn't have said it better. I've traveled all over America. 42 States. I'm still in awe of the Great Land. Insider hint. A cruise only scratches the South East Coast.
We are booked on Discovery Princess this May, from your experience, do you like Princess or Royal Carribean more? ( especially in Alaska 🙂 )
Did an 11 day land/sea cruise several years ago on Holland America. The only way to see interior AK. Flew to Anchorage from SeaTac then lots of busses and trains and stops and overnights to Denali, Fairbanks. several towns in Yukon. The thing about HAL is they take care of all your luggage for you, all the excursions (lots) were in our cruise price and we saw LOTS of places, wildlife on Denali tour. The Whitehorse narrow gauge railroad from Whitehorse to Skagway was breathtaking. We didn't cruise til we got to Skagway and it was only 4 days to Vancouver. They no longer have the land/sea tour we took, but it was amazing. If you really want to see AK, take a land/sea tour. The HAL ships are smaller than the others and not as much to do onboard, but they can go to places larger ships can't. We went at the end of June and the only place it rained was Juneau (expected) and it was 100 in Dawson City!!
Have to chuckle as these "what I wish I knew before I sailed…." videos. All that information is available for those that do research. The more you know, the less of these videos created! Google is your friend!
Thanks! Loved listening to your video.
That’s our next cruise. My husband wants to go back to Alaska where he used to live, so that’s our next cruise.
We’ve always enjoyed Holland America. They’re smaller which we like. Never really thought about more indoor activities because of the weather. Good point. 😊
I have lived in AK for 15 years (2 separate stays) and originally moved here because I was so blown away the first time I visited–which was via cruise ship.
Layers, layers, layers. That's the best advice I can give to anyone travelling here on vacation. Several lighter layers (short sleeve tee, long sleeve tee, hoodie, cardigan, jacket) will be warmer than one heavy layer and far more customizable to changing temps and activity levels.
Thanks for your vid! I'm actually going to cruise Alaska (3rd time) in May. Come see the most beautiful season on Earth—an Alaskan summer!
yea I am going in June. The amount for the excursions are ridiculous…absolutely ridiculous..
You did an excellent job reviewing the Alaska experience. Thanks
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣CLIK BAIT.
Gooooood. I don't want to have a party vibe on an Alaskan cruise…and I don't think people going to somewhere so cold and scenic is looking to party. Body clocks vary all over the world… that'snothing new.
I would take a stateroom on the Alaska Marine Highway over that cruise any day
My reason for an Alaskan cruise is simply because I want to see the Inland Waterway. I figure to get cold because I intend to sit out on the balcony with my camera, binoculars and spotting scope. The ship is just a mode of travel that I don’t have any responsibility for. I intend to search for whales, but also scan the shoreline for bear, etc. 1300mm lens on my camera, on a tripod. I can sit on my balcony, step inside to warm up if need be. I also have a service dog, so the private balcony means she doesn’t have to spend the day leashed and vested. Let it rain.
Excellent video and very useful tips.Look forward to our cruise,better prepared!
Maybe people from the west coast (Seattle and Vancouver – Americans and Canadians alike) are more subdue and civil? Just kidding… don’t hang me!
Do you have an opinion on which side of the ship is preferable based on the scenery?
I took 12 Alaska cruises they are enjoyable on several cruise lines….. 8 Caribbean cruises , 4 Hawaiian cruises, and 2 European river cruises…
The vibes of an Alaska cruise look like they’re exactly my style! Everyone interested in the views and it’s peaceful and serene.
Unfortunately the ship I’m going to be on doesn’t have an indoor pool or sports areas, but it does have a solarium. Kinda surprising given that the ship (Discovery Princess) was made for cruising to Alaska.
Great video! There are more than one place to board a Cruise in Seattle. This gentleman experience was on the waterfront cruise dock. The other a little north is much better on getting people in and out of the ship.
This is our first Alaska cruise thanks for tips.
I just assumed the weather would be cool and wet on an Alaskan cruise. I wish someone had told me how hot and soupy the Caribbean would be 24 hours a day. I couldn't even be outside for more than 5-10 minutes without getting overheated! Yet the outdoor spaces were packed with people! I might not have gone on that cruise if I'd known. I'd much rather be cold than hot.
😅 don’t listen to this guy he’s talking about the quantum of the seas but using clips from the ovation of the seas
You are an adult – you are capable of doing your OWN research prior to a cruise
Excellent video! You covered many important things that the other videos I've watched did not.
We just got back from an Alaskan cruise and I’m already ready to go back. Indescribably beautiful.
Cool
We left Seattle port 91 on Celebrity Solstice. We had an appointed time to board and we were in the ship within 20 minutes . Departing we were out of the ship, thru customs and in our limo in 30 minutes. Only thing I would change is not killing 14 hours in town waiting for the red eye.